IBM High level tech: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG "touchy

[poekhali]

NJRonbo,

Thanks for the suggestion. I plan on calling sales in the next couple of days to figure out exactly what my options are with respect to returning this machine. I might pursue seeing if they'll send me a 40Y7026 card as "insurance" providing I don't have any other problems with the computer in the next week or so (I need to really test it now to be sure since my confidence is a bit shaken...).

My problem does seem to be a bit different than yours though, since I could connect (without being dropped) with Access Connections and the 3945abg card. So there may be several problems here (software issues + some cards are defective) that sometimes combine together and sometimes don't.

In either case, the tech that I talked to seemed pretty quick to suggest that the card might be bad until we managed to connect after uninstalling Access Connections.

I'm sorry to hear that uninstalling AC didn't solve your problem. Good luck with the new card! I'm curious to see how it works for you.

[sovereignty68]

I just talked to IBM support and they finally helped me get my system running, although I am not 100% pleased with the result. ("Backstory": I have a new T60 2007-76U with Intel 3945 abg card and Linksys WRT54GL router/gateway. I was able to ping the router and even DNS servers provided by the cable company, but NOT able to access the Internet with the laptop!) After talking for a while with the IBM tech, the solution that worked was to remove Access Connections and use the standard Win XP Pro utilities to manage the wireless connection. The tech had a "suspicion" that the problem was a conflict between my wireless card (and drivers) and the Access Connections software. (I suspect they have had a few phone calls from all of the postings!) He suggested that they would work out the problem and just to wait until a new version of Access Connections was uploaded (he didn't specify a timetable).

Now, the good news is that IBM tech support was excellent in this case, much better than anything I've encountered to date in the computer world. The bad news is that it appears Lenovo is shipping a partially defective (or at least not fully functional) product. I am contemplating sending it back on that principle, since one pays the premium price for a better-than-average quality system. I am still in my 30-day return period and could just wait a few months until they "get the kinks out" of these systems.

I can tell you the new thinkpads aren't the only ones having this problems... do a google search, "3945ABG linksys". You'll find a lot people having problem with Linksys router with the new Intel wireless card. It shouldn't has anything to do with Access Connections. Just remember, the techs @ ibm don't own new thinkpads personally, so they have no experience with this issue unless they go test it with linksys routers intensively in their lab.

[NJRonbo]

So....in *theory* replacing the Intel card with the Atheros
40Y7026 card should solve all problems?

[poekhali]

The tech did mention a few times that my system was "new" and he hadn't really worked with it. That seems to be consistent with his approach in trying to fix the problem (not too much understanding of 3945 card).

Another troubleshooting step would seem to be to test a different company's router (D-Link, Netgear, Belkin, etc.). Anyone have a suggestion?

[ThinkPad R]

My WiFi card causes my computer to crash after being turned on for about 5 hours or so.

I don't know why. It recently had severe problems.

It constantly turns off, and I have hard time turning it back on. The recommendation from other threads didn't help to keep it stayed on.

As mentioned above, it causes my computer to crash every several hours...

few of my works weren't saved. The conventional methods, such as downloading new drivers, did not help.

[NJRonbo]

The latest news...

Customer Service called me early this morning.

A woman wanted to know *exactly* what my problems
were concerning the Intel 3945ABG card in the T60 and
my wireless connection problems.

I told her I wanted a Atheros card (40Y7026) sent to me
overnight at no charge.

She told me that she would have to further investigate this
problem with a IBM tech before making such a decision and
that she would get back to me shortly.

I think there is going to be a bit of feet draggin' here until
I get an answer.

Meanwhile, now I am considering taking the easy way out
and just ditchin' my Linksys router and buying another brand.
I hate to do this because my Linksys WRT54GX4 works great
with all my other devices and provides VERY POWERFUL coverage.

Will keep you updated....

[donking!]

NJRonbo,

Have you tried the old trick of writing a letter to the CEO of Lenovo? It doesn't always work, but sometimes these sorts of complaints get escalated the most quickly to special problems divisions with people there who can really take care of you. In this case, perhaps whoever is the head of the ThinkPad division in North America might be good. (But even then cc the letter to the CEO of Lenovo--it tells everyone else that you write to that the CEO's office knows they are causing unhappiness.)

Just a thought. It's worked for me in the past, with other businesses. Though you'll have to wait for the turn around time that a letter takes.

donking!

[NJRonbo]

donking,

That's a great idea -- but ideas like that take time. I wanted
that new network card yesterday and it would take a week
before the CEO responded.

I do have some good news.

Looks like I may have fixed the problem, thanks to the
help I received on this forum.

1. I uninstalled Thinkpad Access Connections
2. Using the SOFTWARE UPDATE tool (download from Lenovo
T60 software page), I uninstalled the driver for the network card.

I presume the Intel 3945ABG is now using a generic driver.

It works! Signal strength is not as good as my Sony Vaio,
but from what I hear, Lenovo wireless receiving strength can
be poor.

I'm going out today to buy a Belkin Pre-N Router (F5D8230-4)
because I don't want to go through this crap again.

I'll let you know if the Belkin fares any better.

[poekhali]

Great to hear that you have connectivity! I'm going on a trip today and will try out the system (w/o Access Connections at the moment) on some hotspots and see if there is any difference or problems with coverage.

Good luck with the Belkin router. If it works for you, I might change out my WRT54GL.

[NJRonbo]

FINAL UPDATE

I wrote my last post (above) too soon. Seconds later,
my notebook could no longer connect to the Internet. It
also began knocking other computers off the network.

However, there was a solution.....

I dumped the Linksys WRT54GX4 router.

I bought the Belkin Pre-N router that a member of
this forum suggested I do.

EVERYTHING WORKS!!!!!

That's right folks -- it was the friggin' Linksys router!

I now have a properly functioning wireless connection.

It is working in conjunction with Thinkpad Access Connections.

It is working with the original Intel network card drivers.

It works PERFECTLY, as it should.

The Moral of this story....

If you are having connection problems with your T60
and own a Linksys router -- there should be no second-guessing
to what the problem actually is.

I want to thank the members of this forum for being so
incredibly patient and helpful during my situation. I hope
this post helps others who may possibly be in the same
situation I am.